Oregon: gun sales soar after restrictions passed

Oregon recorded an increase in gun sales following the midterm's passage of a new state law imposing more restrictions on the ownership and purchase of these items. According to the State Police, background checks to purchase a gun went from about 850 applications to 4,000 in just one day.

Voters approved "Measure 114." This new law requires buyers to obtain a permit to purchase any gun and requires them to complete firearms training in a class, which does not yet exist in the state. In addition, it requires law enforcement agencies to create a publicly accessible database of those who apply for or obtain a permit. It also limits the sale of magazines to no more than 10 cartridges.

Disparity of votes

The measure was approved with 50.7% of the votes. "The disparity is consistent because of Oregon's extreme urban-rural divide," according to The Epoch Times. The bill was supported in only six of the state's 36 counties. Clackamas County voters were evenly split. The rest opposed the bill and several sheriffs have already insisted that they will not enforce the measure. Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen stated:

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan also weighed in on the measure, saying her office "will not enforce the capacity limits on shippers." She added that the law is "poorly written" and "terrible for gun owners, crime victims and public safety."

Temporary restriction requested

Second Amendment Foundation President Alan Gottlieb and his attorneys were already drafting lawsuits when the measure was still a bill and a vote away from passage: "We're still adding litigants to the lawsuit and we'll be ready."

Attorneys advising the Oregon Firearms Federation, the Second Amendment Foundation, the Oregon Hunters Association and other gun rights advocates reported that they will file for an temporary restraining order and an injunction to prevent the measure from going into effect until a judge can determine whether it complies with constitutional requirements.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) issued a statement saying the legislation's "ambiguous language" fails to protect gun owners' information by creating a searchable public database.

16 states restrict guns

California has a similar, though improved, law. The Golden State maintains a database for concealed carry permit holders. Oregon's Measure 114 will include all gun owners in a single database. Gun rights advocates argued that this type of centralized gun data amounts to an abuse of power.

Oregon joins Washington, DC, and 14 other states that have enacted similar laws to limit gun purchases. Washington, DC and nine other states have passed laws banning large-capacity ammunition magazines.